Union wins round in dispute tied to Right to Work

TAYLOR (AP)  A Detroit-area school district has won a key decision in a dispute over an unusual labor deal that was struck before the state's Right to Work law began last year.

Three teachers in Taylor are challenging a 10-year agreement that forces teachers to pay dues or a service fee to a union. The deal between the district and the Taylor Federation of Teachers was made last year, shortly before a new Michigan law made union membership voluntary in various industries.

An administrative law judge is recommending that the Michigan Employment Relations Commission dismiss the complaint. Julia Stern says there's nothing illegal about Taylor and the union reaching a deal before the new law began in late March.

The teachers are represented by the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation in Midland.